I had to interrupt her. “Alanna, I can’t stand this ‘my Lady’ stuff. Can’t you call me something else?”

She came back to the pool with another delicate bottle in her hand and a thick, cream-colored sponge. (I mean a real sponge. The kind they use at the ritzy spas.) She put the bottle on the ledge that ran the length of the pool and proceeded to crouch down, grab my arm and begin washing me.

“No offense, girlfriend, but I would really rather you just sat there and talked to me. And let me wash myself.”

She looked vaguely disconcerted, but she handed me the sponge and my arm. “If that is what you wish, my Lady.”

“I’d appreciate it.” It’s just too weird to be washed by your friend. “So—” I soaped myself up, loving the satinlike feel of the warm mineral water “—what else can you call me besides ‘my Lady’?”

“I suppose I could call you Rhiannon.” She didn’t sound totally convinced.

“Rhiannon.” I didn’t like it. “I don’t like it.”

“It means queenly.”

“That figures,” I muttered as I scrubbed the crud off the bottom of my feet. “I wish you could call me Shannon, but I suppose that wouldn’t be a good idea.”

“No.” She looked worried.

“I know! My friends don’t call me Shannon very often, they shorten it to Sha. What if we shorten Rhiannon to something like Rhe or Rhea?” Jeesh, my feet were disgusting.

“Rhea?” She looked doubtful.

“Yep. I like it.”

“Well, I will try.”

14

“Alanna, can you find me something that will wash the yuck out of my hair?”

“Of course—” she paused, obviously struggling before she added “—Rhea.” She looked through bottles until she found a tall golden one. “This is hair soap made from honey and almonds. Rhiannon’s favorite—I thought you would probably like it, too.”

“You’re right, I do. It’s strange how similar our tastes are, isn’t it?”

Alanna gave a sudden, unladylike snort. “I think strange is not a strong enough word.”

“Hang on, I’m going to dunk under and get this disgusting hair wet. Then I really would appreciate it if you could help me lather it up.”

“I would be happy to help you, Rhea.” This time the nickname came easier.

I held my nose and plunged under, shaking my head around so that the water soaked through my matted curls. Surfacing, I sputtered, wiping hair out of my eyes. Turning my back to Alanna, I sat near the ledge while she uncorked the bottle and poured the thick, soapy mixture all over my hair. Then we both attacked the dirty mess. We had to repeat the rinse-and-wash cycle three times before I felt really clean.

The bathing pool was remarkable. There was some sort of system that allowed dirty, soapy water to drain out one side, while fresh, hot water ran in from another side. And it was huge. The center was deep enough that if I stood, the soothing water covered me to just under my chin.

Finally clean, I lay back near the area where water bubbled in, soaking away the soreness in my muscles. Alanna sat near me, her legs playing in the water like she was a kid sitting on a riverbank.

“I am sorry you had to see the horror of what happened at MacCallan Castle,” Alanna said sadly.

“I had to go. I didn’t want to, but I needed to.”

“Yes. But I am glad ClanFintan followed you.”

“I don’t know what I would’ve done without him.” A sudden thought startled me. “Epi! I didn’t even ask if she got home okay.”

Alanna’s brow wrinkled quizzically, then her expression cleared. “The Chosen—Rhiannon’s mare. Yes, ClanFintan’s centaurs escorted her home. She is resting contentedly in the stables.”

“Her hoof’s going to be all right?”

“She did not appear to favor it when last I saw her.” She smiled at me. “The two of you have become friends?”

“She’s wonderful.” I know I sounded like a giddy schoolgirl. “I’ve always loved horses.”

“Considering your new circumstances that is a lucky coincidence.”

“No kidding.”

We were both silent—contemplating deep thoughts of mirror dimensions and horse goddesses and sex with centaurs…

“I really like him.”

Alanna blinked at me. Innocently.

“Who, my Lady?”

“Don’t ‘my Lady’ me.” I splashed water at her and she giggled. “You know who. Mr. Tall, Dark and Equine.”

“So you are not upset at being mated with him?” Her eyes were sparkling.

“I can’t seem to keep my hands off him.” I think I had the good grace to blush, but it might just have been the heat of the water.

“Now you do sound like Rhiannon.” Alanna’s hands flew to her mouth and she tried to stifle another giggle.

“Now you sound like Suzanna.” And we laughed together. “Oh, jeesh, that reminds me—he’s going to meet me in my room and give me his—” pause, wink “—report. Please help me pick out something great to wear.”

Alanna jumped up and grabbed a thick towel, in which I quickly wrapped myself. I sat at the vanity and we both started toweling my hair dry.

“And there is the problem of those horrid man-creatures.” Both our hands stilled and our eyes met in the mirror. “Oh, Alanna, I had another of those dream things. The creatures have taken the women to Guardian Castle. They’re mating with them.” I turned and took her hands in mine. “I watched as a newborn creature burst from a woman’s body.” I shuddered at the memory. Alanna’s eyes grew huge and her hands gripped mine tightly. “Tell me the centaurs are strong enough to kill those things. I know so little about this world. Do I have an army or something, too? Or are Rhiannon’s guards just boy toys?”

“The centaurs are mighty warriors.” Her voice was firm. “And Rhiannon chose her guards for their fighting ability as well as their…prowess and other, shall we say, endowments.”